Sister Cities

Affiliated 1984 Due to the interest of Bellevue citizens of Taiwanese extraction, members of the Bellevue City Council and the Bellevue Sister Cities Association visited Hualien in 1984. They formed an affiliation shortly after that trip.

DemographicsWith a population of more than 110,000, Hualien borders the Pacific Ocean and is the largest city on Taiwan's East Coast. The geographical location yields magnificent scenery.

The Taroko National Park located in Hualien County was established in 1986 and was of special significance for the environmental protection movement in Taiwan. The park is famous for its marble gorge.

Culture Hualien is home to the Ami and Atayal tribes. The government regards aboriginal culture as an integral part of the island's heritage.

Government Structure The City Council has 19 members elected by the citizens of Hualien.

Industry Hualien has been the most important city for commerce in eastern Taiwan. Hualien is the province’s leading producer of marble and jade and is known as the City of Marble. Marble fragments are often used as the material for sidewalks, arcades and buildings. Hualien is expected to grow to a more industrial and commercial city in the future.

Visiting Hualien in 2003 City Council members, including Conrad Lee, Chuck Mosher and then-Mayor Connie Marshall joined the BSCA-sponsored tour to sister cities Hualien and Yao. Elementary school children performed several traditional dances in honor of the visiting delegation.

Guardian lion (fu dog) statues dedicated in 2013A delegation from Hualien visited Bellevue in 2013. A festival was held at City Hall during which a new pair of guardian lion statues were officially installed and "awakened" in a dedication ceremony. More than 85 musicians, dancers and other artists performed for an audience of hundreds.